Franwell is proud to be an associate member of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Research Center for Food Distribution and Retailing at the University of Florida. Most of the research done in this area has been limited to small parts of the whole distribution chain, whereas the CFDR is distinctive in pursuing a comprehensive scientific study of the entire food supply chain.

The goals

• Facilitate research and education in the multidisciplinary areas of food distribution chains from the growers to the consumers

• Disseminate science-based information about the impact of the whole distribution chain on the final quality of the food products on the shelves of a retail store

• Increase the scope of the existing undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Florida by increasing the content in food distribution and retailing

• Provide support to the food industry in the State of Florida as well as at National and International levels

Research programs

Since most of our projects require a multidisciplinary approach, a very strong collaborative relationship between departments and disciplines is an important feature of the Center.

Vital information arising from Center research projects is disseminated to the whole food industry through the outreach program of the University of Florida.

The Center distributes key information to the producers, retailers, and consumers in order to achieve the ultimate goal of providing safe and high quality foods on store shelves

Disciplines and research topics

Agricultural & Biological Engineering. Precooling, cold rooms, trailers, freezers, displays, back store, pre and post harvest engineering, equipment design& process engineering, thermal treatments, tracking

Postharvest and Horticultural Sciences. Cultivars, fresh-cut products, maturity, age, origin & season, handling, storage & transportation, pre and post harvest treatments, pathology, quality parameters

Packaging Science. Materials, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), containers, reusable & biodegradable containers, transportation (air, ground, sea), packaging dynamics, performance testing, decoration & convenience

Food Science. Nutritional quality, sensory quality and shelf life, store conditions, order and store preparation, food product development; food safety, sanitation, HACCP & traceback

Logistics & Operations. Farm operations, distribution center operations, loading/unloading operations, distribution logistics, loss reduction, process optimization.

Economics. Trends in consumer attitudes and preferences, risk management, strategic planning, business management, marketing & promotions.

Concept and activities

With six disciplines involved: engineering, horticultural science, packaging science, food science, logistics & operations, and economics, it is possible to cover all aspects involved in a distribution chain from the growers to the retail stores

There are three critical decision-making points that can be identified in the whole process of distribution

Origin. At this level, quality is set and no process can improve it. From this moment, technologies can only slow down the deterioration process. This is a vital point where every decision and procedure can contribute to maintaining a high level of quality recognized by consumers

Distribution Center. At this point, the products are received, inspected, stored, and redistributed to the retail store. Many operations take place at this point and one very important one is inspection. This is where an arriving load is accepted or rejected

Retail Store. This is where the final judgment by the consumer is made. Whatever happens before this point, if one thing is not right about the product at retail, consumers will reject it. This is why it is so important to have appropriate equipment, procedures, and knowledge in order to succeed in this business

In order to study the whole distribution process, all three points and their interrelations need to be considered.

Membership Classification

External Advisory Board Members. Invited top-decision makers from the most prestigious retail chains, food services and restaurant chains actively involved in the Research Center activities and decisions

Research Members. Researchers working in the different areas of the distribution chain. Currently, the Research Center has 18 active researchers from the University of Florida and 5 courtesy researchers from other Universities in the USA, Europe and New Zealand

Associate Members. Research partners from government agencies or private companies involved in the distribution and retailing business, which sponsor and contribute actively to the development of new scientific concepts and technologies

Affiliate Members. Non-active members from any organization interested in updates of new scientific findings and technology in the area of food distribution and retailing

Official CFDR site

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